Role of nutritional deficiency in the development of autism spectrum disorders

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by behavioural abnormalities and impaired communication skills. Both genetic and environmental factors have been attributed as causative factors. It has been reported that there are alterations in the organization of functional networks in brain as well as in the balance between structural and functional net-works in brain in children and adolescents with ASD when compared to normal children. Various studies have shown that lower levels of micronutrients like magnesium, selenium, Vitamin A, Vitamin D and Vitamin E, Folic acid and iron are found in children with ASD. This narrative review was undertaken to highlight the role of nutritional deficiency in the development of ASD in children relevant literature was collected from Google scholar, Pubmed, Cross Ref and Scopus. This review also takes into consideration how nutritional deficiency during pregnancy, infancy and childhood can have a role in the development of ASD in children.

Association of obesity with vitamin D deficiency and the clinical implications.

Background: Obesity is a complex disorder which leads to health problems like diabetes, hypertension and hyper cholesterolemia. It has been reported that obesity is associated with vitamin D insufficiency due to decreased bio-availability. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether vitamin D deficiency can be a causative factor for obesity in Saudi women above 40 years. Methods: 100 Saudi female patients above 40 years who came to the outpatient department of Arar central hospital were selected for the study. Patients who were on immunosuppressive drugs, with hormonal disorders and with impaired renal function were excluded from the study. The data was collected using a questionnaire which included the socio demographic details, height, weight and medical history and the serum vitamin D levels were assessed. Results: 69% of the Saudi women were obese (BMI >30). 84% (n=58) of the obese women had vitamin D deficiency (<50 nmols/l) while 69.6% of the overweight women had vitamin D deficiency. 43.5% (n = 30) of obese women had diabetes, 44.9% (n=31) of obese women had hypertension. The association between obesity and vitamin D deficiency was not significant. Conclusions: No significant association was found between obesity and vitamin D deficiency indicating that vitamin D deficiency has no significant role in causing obesity in Saudi women above 40 years.

Effect of adipose derived stem cells on ovariectomised Wistar rats.

Background: Various clinical trials are going to determine the efficacy of human Adipose Derived Stem Cells (hADSCs) in the treatment of degenerative diseases including osteoporosis. Stem cell therapy for osteoporosis is aimed at inducing new bone formation by the proliferation and differentiation of bone progenitor cells. The therapeutic potential of hADSCs has to be investigated in animal models of osteoporosis before suggesting it as a therapeutic option. Methods: hADSCs were cultured in the Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 4 mM L-glutamine and 110 mg/l sodium pyruvate, 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS), 1% penicillin–streptomycin and non-essential amino acids. For osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs, cells were cultured as above then were exposed to osteogenic induction medium for seven days. Intravenous infusion of osteogenesis induced hADSCs was given to 20 ovariectomised Wistar rats three months after ovariectomy (test group) and 20 ovariectomised rats were kept as controls. Rats were sacrificed 35 days after infusion and tibial cross sections at the level of tibio-fibular joint were stained with H&E & Masson’s trichrome. The digital slide images were viewed using Aperio Image Scope software. Results: The results showed that there was new bone formation in the test group, indicated by osteoid formation and osteoblasts. There was significant increase in the cortical thickness in the test group when compared with the control group. There was no significant increase in trabecular volume when compared to the control group. Conclusions: hADSCs after osteogenic induction may have the potential to enhance new bone formation and may be useful in the treatment of osteoporosis.